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Month: April 2007

Just as I closed the last post, I headed upstairs to my bedroom to change clothes. With my door closed I didn’t hear the little guy coming up the stairs after me. My guess is that he tried his standing stunt from earlier and soon I heard what sounded like tumble – scream – tumble – scream – tumble – scream. I knew I was hearing Ivan falling down what was probably the full height of our 16 steps. He was hitting hard and his screams were scary. I ran for the door just in time to see him land at bottom on his back and parallel to the bottom step. He was silent for just a moment and then that cry that is so heartbreaking came belting out. Oh…my…I grabbed my robe and ran for him, hoping that nothing was broken or bleeding. He was fine other then some pink places that look like they’ll turn into bruises on his cheek and forehead and corresponding rug-burns to accentuate. I carried him back upstairs and rocked him for a while and he was finally able to see his way onto his rocking horse for a few minutes. The great outdoors was beckoning so as Owen headed that way Ivan followed suit; only to be confronted with the stairs again. He begged me to carry him down and his tears were about all I could take. I coaxed him to follow me, staying just a few steps ahead and he quietly sat at the top and stared at me. He normally turns himself around and crawls down backward as you would expect but it was as if he didn’t want to lose sight of what was in front of him lest it somehow trick him and cause him to fall. I understood his fear but with my belly already large and a new baby just months away, I am not going to cater to that fear. I can’t be forced to carry two little ones down all the time. He ventured down about two steps by sitting, turning just enough to get his legs out from under him and scooting down, then sitting again on the next step. After waiting and coaxing for quite a while, I decided to walk away, hopefully showing him that I knew he could do it and that I was certainly not going to rescue him. He finally turned himself around and crawled quickly and expertly down the stairs. He was smiling at the bottom though a tear was still on his cheek. Brave boy is now outside experimenting with walking in the grass.

Ivan is progressing as all babies do, but it’s always exciting when you get to watch it in your own house like this. His communication skills are blossoming as he nods and shakes his head, points, and uses two and three syllable grunts instead of just one and responds with very expressive facial gestures that quickly let you know what he wants or doesn’t want. This morning I asked him if he wanted something with his breakfast and he quickly nodded and then looked at me as if he’d conquered something. His cousin Faith has been nodding and speaking paragraphs of gibberish for some time so I’m glad to see him making the effort. It’s like he knows what he wants to come out but it just doesn’t work in his mouth the way he wants it to. He was helping Owen pick up puzzle pieces this morning in the living room and with each piece Owen would say “thank you.” Ivan began saying, through his pacifier, some equally grateful two syllable sound with the same inflection as Owen as he passed him each piece. I’ve noted before that he is much quicker to repeat, or attempt to repeat, Owen than he is Kris or me. To anyone else there may be no visible or audible evidence of progress, but to me it seems like leaps and bounds.

Ivan was sniffling this morning and then had a big sneeze which of course loosened things up real good for him and I asked if he needed a tissue. He quickly crawled toward my desk where the box of tissues are and pointed as he went. I passed him on foot and grabbed a tissue and just as I got it up to his face he began blowing. He actually blew through his nose but then wasn’t satisfied with the sound and began making noise with his mouth too so that it sounded like the rest of the family when we blow or noses.

Ivan loves to dance. Once there is music going his little rear end starts bouncing and he’s all about the groove. A lot of babies do this and I think it’s adorable on anyone but I was sort of glad to see Ivan do it, as Owen never did. Owen just sat still and listened, which is sweet too, Owen even sang songs by this point. I just looked back and at 15 months is when Owen started singing “There’s Just Something About That Name.” I remember it so clearly, as Kris and I were both listening to him singing in the back seat and couldn’t believe our ears. Ivan sort of sings but it’s more like he’s “ooh-ing” along with whatever we’re singing. Very cute none the less.

Walking seems to be the next thing on his agenda. He’s been getting up and proudly taking steps here and there. He always interrupts himself to look and see if I’m watching, which then throws off his balance but he doesn’t care. If he sees that I’m watching his eyebrows go up and his grin gets so wide I think it teeters his totter and he falls down giggling. I’m hoping he conquers this in the next week or so and can show off his skills when we go to Florida in May for Kris’ brother’s wedding. Both of my boys have waited to begin walking until they are at least 16 months. Owen pretty much experimented at 15 months but really started walking at 16 months. Ivan has been experimenting and testing his feet this month and may really conquer at 17. That’s exactly the same if you consider that Ivan was born a month early. I don’t know if you can count that or not though. Regardless, it’s been great fun to watch. He’s also quick to climb and explore things. Today he maneuvered himself up onto the living room windowsill to sit and dangle his feet in front of him. Terribly cute. He has always been good on the stairs and his only fall (here at home) was the result of Owen’s pushing ability so it doesn’t really count. Today he scared me though when he climbed up to about the 5th step and then decided to stand up on his feet. I froze and commanded that he use his hands. He looked at me like, “what’s your problem?” and then obeyed. Confidence is good…but I need him to take it one day at a time.

Ivan seems to have gotten through some rough days lately. From teething to stomach bugs the whining and pitiful looks were abundant, but the latter part of this week has brought back our happy little boy and we are very glad to see him. He loves to tease Owen by grabbing the toys he knows are important to him. He loves to copy Owen and try to do whatever he is doing.

His speech is broadening but not in the way one would hope. There is nothing vulgar coming from his lips, don’t fear that. He is simply copying many of the sounds Owen makes while playing with his toys. For instance, when Owen plays with his Lightning McQueen car he often says “kachow!”. Ivan loves to try to say this. This morning we did get a very distinct “daddy” out of him and on command which was pretty exciting for us. When we tried to move on with grandma, granddaddy or grandpa, it all came out daddy…so we have a ways to go. He tries to say fish and it usually comes out “ish.” This is all progress and I’m just glad he’s trying. He has been very happy this morning, playing on his own in the play room and entertaining himself beautifully.